Accident Overview
An aircraft crashed while performing aerobatic maneuvers at an airshow. Witnesses reported that the pilot struggled to stay within the assigned area for the maneuvers due to high winds. The wind was estimated at 20 knots, gusting to 25 knots from 330 degrees. Video footage later showed the aircraft drifting with the wind, with each maneuver becoming progressively lower and wider.
Final Maneuver and Impact
The last maneuver was a snap roll, which appeared to be improperly executed. This resulted in a loss of altitude and subsequent impact with the ground. The aircraft's cockpit area became submerged in water. The pilot was rescued but succumbed to his injuries four days later.
Contributing Factors
According to witnesses, the pilot was having difficulty maintaining position because of the high winds. The aircraft was not only drifting downwind, but the pilot was also allowing each maneuver to extend lower and wider, as observed on video. Although the snap roll appeared improperly executed, the official report does not state a probable cause.